Technical Library

Stagger…
Consistent plucking order from note to
note is crucial for the correct operation and feel of the harpsichord. If the
multiple plucks of an instrument with more than two registers tried to occur
simultaneously, each key would be more far difficult than necessary to depress.
Makers intentionally separate the plucks as part of the regulation process.
In English, we use the wonderful word “stagger” to describe this—a word more
often applied to the walk of a drunk.

The stagger depends on the instrument. Some makers have different preferences,
but the following is regarded as normal practice:

In a two-unison instrument like the Neapolitan,
simple leverage means the back 8⁠´ wants
to fire first, followed by the front 8⁠´.

In a traditional Flemish instrument like the Ruckers
Single,
the 4⁠´ fires first, followed by the front 8⁠´.

In a French Double with three choirs, the
lighter plucking 4⁠´ fires first, followed by the back 8⁠´ and then
the front 8⁠´ through the coupler.

After the last pluck, a little keydip must remain for comfort. At normal
playing speed, the separation of the various plucks is not audible.

The prepared movie clearly shows
tenor f on the lower manual of a French Double being played slowly.

StaggerCarey Beebe demonstrating the timing of the pluck (“stagger”).

Assuming the harpsichord was consistently setup when new—which sadly isn’t
always the case—stagger
can be upset in several ways:

The register positions may require adjustment because of tension distortion
of the instrument, or climatic change.

A jack may have been swapped from one
note to another, or even one choir to another.

A quill may have been replaced without attention to the correct quill length.